Vikings will fight on for a sixth season

The historical drama series has been picked up for a 20-episode sixth season by its US broadcaster History, more than a month before Vikings' fifth season begins airing in the States (via TVLine).

On top of the early renewal, History has announced that Katheryn Winnick - who plays the warrior queen Lagertha - will make her directorial debut with a sixth season instalment.

Vikings creator Michael Hirst announced: "It has been my pleasure and my privilege to work with History and our partner MGM over five seasons and 69 episodes of Vikings.

"Now we are ready to begin production of a 20-episode Season 6 that will deliver a huge and unexpected revelation to our audience."

No word yet on exactly what that "huge and unexpected revelation" will be (we're hoping for an alien invasion), but History executive Eli Lehrer has promised more intense action than ever in Vikings' sixth run.

"Vikings has evolved from early raids in England, to the heart-stopping death of Ragnar Lothbrok, to the fierce battles of the Great Heathen Army, and now we'll see the sons of Ragnar exploring and conquering the known world," Lehrer said in a statement. "Michael Hirst has only scratched the surface of his epic saga."